POPSUGAR Celebrity

Someone on The Bachelorette Actually Said Something Smart About Race

Jun 18 2014 - 4:15pm

The Bachelor franchise is not known for its eloquent confessionals. But this week, contestant Marquel Martin spoke to the camera in a way that challenged viewers at home. After finding out that fellow contestants commented that bachelorette Andi had given roses "to the two blackies" (or "black guys" — the wording wasn't clear), Marquel opened up:

"It's crazy to think that the first thing people are gonna recognize about me is 'OK, he's a black guy.' And that's the reality of it. It's not like, 'Hey, that dude's a good dude; he was respectful; I'm sure he was raised right; I'm sure he has strong beliefs.'"